“But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many” (Romans 5:15).
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul the Apostle made use of an important literary tool here in Romans 5:14. His implement of choice was a literary device known as “contrast.” This involves placing two elements in opposition to one another. That provides an easy way to compare those elements and highlight their differences.
The remaining verses of Romans chapter five will contrast Adam’s transgression in the Garden of Eden and Jesus’ work to reverse the effects of that choice. Romans 5:15 presents us with one such contrast in speaking of “one man’s offense” in contrast to the “free gift” offered by “he grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ.”
This reference to a gift points to Jesus’ sacrificial, atoning death on the cross. That redemptive gift brings life to many, while Adam’s offense brought death to his descendants. Several Biblical translations use the word “trespass” to identify the nature of Adam’s offense in this verse. As mentioned earlier, that reference is highly instructive, for “trespassing” implies an act of willful disobedience.
Much like the person who knowingly takes a shortcut across a neighboring property only to be reprimanded by the property owner, this term highlights Adam’s deliberate act of insubordination. Romans 5:15 thus emphasizes the abundance of God’s grace in bringing many to salvation through Christ. Yet, to borrow a phrase from this passage, this gift involves much more…
“The free gift was not like the effect of an individual who sinned. The effect of Adam’s sin was merely negative: guilt was established; the effect of Christ’s sacrifice was not only negative — guilt cancelled — but positive, in that it included the bestowal of an imputed righteousness upon those who receive him, as well as an imparted righteousness in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hence the Atonement does not simply put us back where Adam was prior to the Fall; we are lifted far above the level from which Adam fell, because we partake of the divine nature…” (1)
So, Christ’s finished work effected a reconciliation between the Creator and His creation. God, in His mercy, chose to impute our trespasses to Christ, instead of holding us personally accountable for them when we accept Christ as Savior. Here again, we should note that Adam’s heritage is disobedience leading to death, while Jesus’ heritage is obedience leading to life.
(1) Archer, Gleason Leonard. The Epistle to the Romans. 1959. pg. 32